Apparatus for cleaning gases



F. R. McGEE.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GASES.

APPLICATION nun uAYla. 191a.

Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

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FIG.5

or ey FRANK R. MOGEE, OF-SIEUBENVILLE, OHIO.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GASES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

- Application filed May TQ, 1918. Serial No. 234,291.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK R. MoGEE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Steubenville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ap aratus for Cleaning Gases, of which the fol specification.

My invention relates to cleaning gases carrying impurities in suspension therein, and

more particularly to cleaning gases containing finely divided solids or liquids or semiliquids such as blast furnace gases, the gases from by-product coke ovens and gas producers, and the products of combustion evolved in the operation of steam boiler furnaces, heating and metallurgical furnaces, cement kilns, andthe like.

One object of my invention is to provide apparatus for cleaning gases having improved means whereby impurities carried in suspension in such gases, either solid or liquid, or a mixture of both, are mechanically removed and separated from the gases in an effective, rapid and economical manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide gas cleaning apparatus having novel means for automatically separating the gases from the impurities, for trapping or isolating the separated impurities as removed from the gases, and for preventing the removed impurities from reentering or again mixing with the cleaned gases.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for cleaning gases having the novel constructions, arrangements and combination of parts, shown in the drawings, to be described in detail hereinafter, and specifically covered by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, ,Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing gas cleaning apparatus embodying the novel features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional clevationon a larger scale, showing details in the construction of the centrifugal separators forming a novel fe'atureof my improved apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation showing details in the-construction of one form .of inlet end for the centrifugal separators forming a novel feature of this invention.

Fig. 4.- is a plan of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation, similar to owing is av that shown in Fig. 3, showing a modified form of inlet for the centrifugal separators used with my improved apparatus. F1g. 6 is a plan of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation like that shown in Figs. 3 and 5, showing another modification in the construction of the inlet end of the separators forming part of this apparatus.

Fig. 8 is a. plan of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectionalelevation similar to those shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 7, showing a further modification in the construction of the inlet end of the centrifugal separators.

Fig. 10 is a plan of the apparatus shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic plan showing a develo ment of the curved vanes used on the centri' ugal header shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the circumference of the header being equal to the distance between the vertical lines XX of Fig. 11.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 2 designates the cylindrical outer shell of the gas cleaning apparatus, this shell having frusto-conical ends 3 and 4:, and sus pended within the shell 2 are cylindrical partitions 5 and 6 having frusto-conical lower ends 7 and 8, these partitions being constructed and arranged to separate the gas cleaning apparatus into a gas distributing chamber A, a clean gas collecting chamber B, and an impurity collecting chamber C.

The upper end of the gas collecting chamber B opens into the inlet end of a clean gas conduit 9 located at the upper end 3 of the outer shell 2, and a gas inlet in the side wall of the outer shell 2 near its lower end is connected to the discharge end of the inclined gas conduit 10 employed in conducting the gases to be cleaned into the gas cleaning apparatus.

The wall 5 of the clean gas chamber B is fastened at its upper end to the conical end 3 of the shell 2 so as to depend therefrom, and the wall 6 of the impurity collecting chamber C telescopes over the depending wall 5 of the clean gas chamber B and is connected at its upper end to the wall 5 so as to extend for some distance below the lower end 7 of the clean gas chamber B. (See Fig. '1.)

Secured on the upper end 3 of the distributing chamber A is a bleeder or pressure I relief pipe 11 whichis normally closed by a a predetermined amount.

The wall 6 of the impurity collecting chamber C is, as shown, provided with a. series of four horizontal rows of equally spaced openings or holes (thirty two holes in each row as shown), and the wall 5 of the clean gas chamber B is provided with a similar arrangement of openings or holes which register with those in the wall 6. Secured on the outer surface of the impurity collecting chamber wall 6 is an angularly or upwardly and outwardly extending separator pipe saddle 14, and secured on the outer surface of the wall of the clean gas chamber 5 opposite each of the openings "or holes in this wall, is an upwardly and outwardly extending gas escape pipe saddle 15. (See F ig. 2).

The outer end of each of the saddles 14, I

(those on the outer surface of the impurity collecting chamber wall 6,) is arranged to receive the lower end of a centrifugal separator pipe 16 forming part of my improved apparatus, and the outer end of each saddle 15 on the wall of the clean gas chamber is arranged to receive the end of a gas escape pipe 17, the escape pipes 17 telescoping within the saddles 14 and lower ends of the centrifugal separator pipes 16, (as is clearly shown in Fig. 2). Pins 18 are provided within the saddles v14: to form means for keeping the upper ends of the telescoping gas escape pipes 17 in axial alinement with the saddles 14 and separator pipes 16.

By reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the outer ends of the gas escape pipes 17 and the enlarged lower ends 19 of the telescoping separator pipes 16 coact to form annular outlets 2O connecting the upper end of the separator pipes 16 with the interior of the impurity collecting chamber C. A baffle ring 21 is rovided on the upper end of the pipes 17 to throttle the flow of gases into the annular impurity receiving outlets 20, as is shown in Fig. 2. These baffle rings 21 may be omitted in some cases, when found necessary or desirable.

Secured in the outer end of each of the separator pipes 16 is a header 22 having a series of spiral vanes 23 on the periphery thereof arranged to impart a rotary whirling motion to the gases entering the separator pipes. Preferably a header is emgloyed similar to that shown in detail in igs. 3 and 4, so as to form the incoming stream of gases into an annular ring of whirling gases which causes the impuritles column of gases by centri ugal force, while the gases are expanded centripetally after passing the header 22.

In some cases, however, the single vane or helical rib construction of Figs. 5 and 6, or that shown in Figs. 7 and 8, may be employed.

In other cases a tangential inlet is provided in the manner shown in Figs. 9 and 10 to give a spiral or rotary whirling motion to the gases entering the upper end of the separator pipes 16.

In the construction of Figs. 3 and 4 a plurality of curved vanes 23 are formed on the periphery of the headers 22, these vanes having curved portions which tangent with straight lower end portions 24 to form a series of outlets 25- as is clearly shown in the development illustration in Fig. 11.

In the construction of Figs. 5 and 6, a single helical rib 26 is provided on the periphery of the header 22.

In the apparatus of Figs. 7 and 8 the header is omitted and a. twisted plate 27 is employed to impart a rotary whirling motion to the gases entering the inlet end of the centrifugal separator pipes 16.

In Figs. 9 and 10 the inlet. end of each of the centrifugal separator pipes has a tangential inlet 28 of rectangular cross-section, a belLmouth or inwardly converging side branch forming the tangential inlet 28.

The interior of the gas distributing chamber A is provided at suitable points in the to be held on the peripher of the whirling height thereof with platforms 29 to facilitate inspection and the removal and replacement of the pipes 16 and 17 and the headers 22 in the separator pipes 16.

A deflector 30, in the form of a truncated cone, is secured on the interior ofthe impurity collecting chamber C near its lower end, so as to deflect impurities descending therein radially inward toward the vertical center of the chamber C.

A similar frusto-conical deflector 31 is provided on the wall of the gas distributing chamber A to direct incoming gases toward the center of the gas distributing chamber, and coact with the lower end 8 of the chamber C in causing the gases to ascend uniformly within the distributing chamber A.

An injector pipe 32 having its inlet end opening into the lowerend of the impurity collecting chamber O at a point beneath the deflector 30 in this chamber, extends outwardly through the shell 2 of the gas distributing chamber A and downwardly into ,the gas conduit 10 through which the gases and maintains a slight flow of gases through the impurity collecting chamber 0 WhlChlS sufficient to avoid and prevent any back pressure therein and thereby facilitate the deposition of impurities within the chamber C.

The frusto-conical end 4 of the gas distributing chamber A is provided with an impurity discharge outlet normally closed by the gas sealing bell 34, which is movably secured in closing position by the plvoted counterweighted lever 35 in the usual and well known manner, and the outlet inthe bottom of the gas distributing chamber A is provided with a cylindrical dust shield 36 surrounding the outlet opening, this shield also being an.old and well known device.

The lower end of the impurity collecting chamber G is provided with an outlet connected to one end of an impurity discharge pipe 37 which extends through its lower end to the exterior of the distributing chamber A. The discharge end of the pipe 37 is closed by a bell 38 which is movably secured in place by means of a counterweightedlever 39.

The lower end of the clean gas chamber B also is providedwith an impurity discharge outlet which is connected to one end of the impurity discharge pipe 40 which extends downwardly through the end 4 of the gas distributing chamber, the discharge end of the pipe 40 normally being closed by means of a gas sealing bell 41 which is movably held in closing position by the counterweighted pivoted lever 42. A cylindrical .dust shield 43 constructed in the usual and well known manner is provided to surround the lower end of the discharge pipes 37 and 40.

Manholes 44, 44 normally closed by removable covers 45 in the side of the outer shell 2 are provided at convenient points.

In the operation of my improved apparatus the gases to be cleaned enter the lower part of the gas distributing chamber A through the inlet connected to the discharge end of the gas conduit 10. The entering gases are deflected to the center of the chamber A by the baflie 31 and caused to rise uniformly in an annular ring above the defleeting plate or baflle 31. By changing the direction of flow of the gases, as is done in the lower part of the chamber A, the heavier parts forming a large amount of the impurities carried in suspension in the gases will become deposited in the conical bottom end 4 of this gas distributing chamber A.

The gases rising to the upper end of the chamber A then enter the open upper ends of the centrifugal separator pipes 16 and pass downwardly therethrough, the direction of flow being again changed. In entering the upper end of the separator pipes 16 the body of gases in the chamber A is broken up into a large number of comparatively small columns or streams, and each of these small columns is caused to rotate rapidly and is given a whirling movement, was to travel through the separators in a spiral path, the rapid whirling movementof the gases causing the impurities in the gases to be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force to the periphery of the gas columns against the inner surface of the separator pipes 16. The gases after passing the header 22 in each pipe 16, expand centripetally, but the impurities are heldbycentrifugal force in an annular ring which hugs the surface of the pipes 16. In this way each separator pipe forms one of the columns of gases into a central core of cleaned gases and a, surrounding layer of impurity laden gases, the impurities becoming concentrated in a thin annular layer. When the so-formed columns of gases reach the upper ends of the gas escape pipes 17, the annular layers of dust laden gases continue to flow downwardly on the outside of the pipes 17 through the traps or outlets 20 into the impurity collecting chamber C, while the central core of cleaned gases passes downwardly through the gas escape pipes 17 into the clean gas collecting chamber B.

The flow of gases into the distributing chamber A from the supply conduit 10, has an injector effect on the injector pipe 32 which draws gases through the pipe 32 from the lower end of the impurity collecting chamber C, and in this way maintains a circulationof gases within the chamber C, and this flow, although slight, is sufficient to prevent back pressure within the chamber C and avoid retardation of the flowzof impurities and impurity laden gases through the centrifugal separator pipes 16 into the impurity collecting chamber C.

The impurities, as discharged from the lower ends of the saddles 14, are deflected by the baflle plate 30 toward the center of the impurity collecting chamber C so that the gases which pass into the injector pipe 32 from the chamber C are comparatively clean. The valve 33 on the injector pipe 32 enables the flow of gases throughthis pipe to be regulated and controlled by opening and closing the valve to a greater or less extent.

The gases entering the clean gas chamber ing apparatus to escape throu h the blee or The headers or separator pipes or clean.

gas pipes are then removed and replaced as found necessa or desirable, and any other repairs foun to be required are made. The bleeder valve 12 and manholes 44 are then closed and the apparatus is again put into operation. I The sealing bells 34, 38 and 41 will be opened from time to time to allow accumulations of impurities in the bottom of the chamber A and inthe impurity discharge pipes 37 and 4.0-to flow therefrom by vity, this intermittent impurity remov: ing operation [being effected in the usual and well known manner. I

The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled'in the art. The apparatus is simple, is easily and cheaply constructed, and is readily kept in repair. By the use of my improved apparatus the gases are effectively cleaned by entirely mechanical means, havi no moving parts,

and a complete and efi'ectlve dry gas cleaner is provided. Gases containing any considerable amounts of water or other liquid will be effectively dried by removing the water centrifiugally by passing such gases through my improved cleaning apparatus.

1. In apparatus for cleaning gases, the combination of a as collecting chamber, a gas distributi c amber surrounding the collecting cham er, a lurality of separator pipes connecting the distributing chamber to the collecting chamber, *means for imparting awhirling motion to gases entering the separator pipes to thereby separate the gases into a central core of cleaned gases and peripheral layer of impurity laden gases, an impurity collecting. chamber, and means forming outlets on the separator pipes opening into the impurity collecting chamber and arranged to receive and separate said peripheral layer of impurity laden gases from the central core of cleaned gases.

2. In apparatus for cleaning gases, the combination of a gas collecting chamber, a

gas distributing chamber surrounding the V collecting chamber, a series of rows of separator pipes connecting the distributing chamber to the collecting chamber, means for imparting a whirling motion to gases entering the separator pipes to thereby separate the gases into a central core of cleaned gases and peripheral layer of impurity laden gases, an impurity collecting chamber, and means forming outlets on the separator pipes opening into the impurity collecting chamber and arranged to receive. and separate said peripheral layer of impurity laden gases from the central core of cleaned gases.

3. In apparatus for cleaning gases, the combination of. a as collecting chamber, a gas distributi c amber surrounding the collecting cham r, a plurality of separator 1 pipes on the exterior of the gas collecting 7o chamber connecting the distributing chamber to the collecting hamber, means for imparting a whirling motion to gases entering the separator pipes to thereby separate the gases into a central core of cleaned gases and peripheral layer of impurity laden gases, an impurity collecting chamber, and means forming outlets on said se arator pipes opening into said impurity co lecting chamber and arranged to receive and separate said peripheral layer of impurit laden gases from the central core of clean gases.

4. In apparatus for cleaning ases, the combination of a gas collecting c amber, a gas distributin chamber surrounding the collecting cham r, a series of rows of separator pipes on the exterior of the gas collect ing chamber connecting the distributing chamber to the collecting chamber, means for imparting a whirling motion to gases entering the separator pipes to thereby separate the gases into a central core of cleaned gases and peripheral layer of impurity laden gases, an impurity collecting chamber, and. means forming outlets on said separator pipes opening into said impurity collecting chamber and arranged to receive and se a rate said peripheral layer of impurit la en gases from the central core of clean gases.

5. In apparatus for cleaning, the combination of a gas collecting chamber, a gas distributing chamber surrounding the collecting chamber, a plurality of upwardly and outwardly extending separator pipes connecting the distributing chamber to the collecting chamber, means for imparting a whirling motion to the gases entering the separator pipes to thereby separate the gases into. a central core of cleaned gases and peripheral layer of impurit laden gases, an 110 impurity collecting cham r, and means forming outlets on said separator pipes opening into said impurity collecting chamber and arranged to receive and separate the surrounding layer of impurity laden 115 gases from the central core of cleaned gases.

6. In apparatus for cleaning gases," the combination of a gas collecting chamber, a gas distributing chamber surrounding the collecting chamber, a plurality of upwardly 120 and outwardly extending separator pipes arranged in horizontal rows and the distrilbuting chamber to the collecting chamber, means for imparting a whirling motion to the gases entering the separator pipes to 125 thereby separate the gases into a central core of cleaned gases and peripheral layer of impurity laden gases, an impurity collecting chamber, and means forming outlets on said separator pipes opening into said 130 impurity collecting chamber and arranged to receive and separate the surrounding layer of impurity laden gases from the central core 0 cleaned gases.

7. In apparatus for cleaning gases, the combination of a gas collecting chamber, a gas distributin chamber surrounding the collecting cham er, a lurality of separator pipes connecting the distributing chamber to the collecting chamber, means for imparting a whirling motion to the gases entering the separator pipes to thereby separate the gases 1nto a central core of cleaned gases and peripheral layer of impurity laden gases, an impurity collecting chamber, means forming outlets on said separator pipes opening into said impurity collecting chamber and arranged to receive and separate the surrounding layer of impurity laden gases from the central core of cleaned gases, and means connecting the im urity collecting and gas distributing cham rs adapted to prevent back pressure in said impurity collecting chamber.

8. In apparatus for cleaning gases the combination of a gas collecting chamber having an outlet on one end, an impurity collecting chamber surrounding the gas collecting chamber, a gas distributing chamber surrounding the impurity collecting cham ber and a plurality of separator pipes connecting the distributing and gas collecting chambers, said separator pipes having peripheral impurity discharge outlets openlng into the impurity collecting chamber, and means in the separator pipes for imparting a whirling motion to the gases entering said separator pipes from the gas distributing chamber.-

9. In apparatus for cleaning gases the combination of a gas collecting chamber having an outlet on one end, an impurity collecting chamber surrounding the gas c0llecting chamber, a gas distributing chamber surrounding the impurity collecting chamber and a plurality of upwardly and outwardly inclined separator pi es connecting the distributing and gas collecting chambers, said separator pipes having peripheral impurity discharge outlets, opening into the impurity collecting chamber, and means in the separator pipes for imparting a whirling motion to the gases entering sai separator pipes from the gas distributing chamber.

10. In apparatus for cleaning gases the combination of a gas collecting chamber having an outlet on one end, an impurity collectin chamber surrounding the as collecting c amber, a gas distributing c amber surrounding the impurity collecting chamhaving an outlet on one end, an impurity collecting chamber surrounding the gas collecting chamber, a gas distributing chamber surrounding the impurity collecting chamber, a plurality of separator pipes connecting the gas distributing and clean gas collecting chambers, said separator pipes having peripheral impurity discharge outlets intermedlate the ends thereof opening into said impurity collecting chamber, means for imparting a whirling motion to gases entering said separator pipes, means connecting the impurity collecting chamber and gas inlet on the distributing chamber and adapted to cause a flow of gases from the impurity collecting chamber into the gas distributing chamber, and means for regulating the flow of gases from the impurity collecting chamber.

12. In apparatus for cleaning gases the combination of a gas collecting chamber having an outlet on one end, an impurity collecting chamber surrounding the gas collecting chamber, a gas distributing chamber surrounding the impurity collecting chamber, a plurality of separator pipes connecting the gas distributing and clean gas collecting chambers, said separator pipes being arranged in rows, at different points in the height of the gas distributing chamber, and having peripheral impurity discharge outlets intermediate the ends thereof opening into said impurity collecting chamber, means for imparting a whirling motion to gases entering said separator pipes, means connecting the impurity collectlng chamber and gas in et on the dlstributing chamber and adapted to cause a flow of gases from the impurity collecting chamber into the gas distributing chamber, and means for regulating the flow of gases from the impurity collecting chamber.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK R. MCGEE. 

